Blue Elephant Theatre is taking part in the Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign to raise £5,000 in just one week!
The small but mighty theatre is raising funds for some of its core work, delivering Creative Minds drama workshops in local schools. It is vital for the Blue Elephant to raise money for this important work, having recently lost regular core funding from Arts Council England as part of arts funding cuts to London, a decision described as ‘cultural vandalism’ by local MP Harriet Harman.
Blue Elephant Theatre has worked with Southwark schools for more than twenty years. These workshops have improved outcomes for vulnerable young people by supporting academic achievement and language development, and addressing social, behavioural and emotional challenges.
Donations to the campaign will be generously matched by Big Give’s Champions during the campaign to make double the difference in supporting local young people.
Jo Sadler-Lovett, Head of Participation at Blue Elephant Theatre, says:
“Creative Minds is truly an example of arts having impact. I’ve seen selectively mute young people speak for the first time in school for years and school refusers say they let go of stresses in workshops. One of the leaders of our Young People’s Theatre first encountered Blue Elephant through school workshops, before joining youth theatre and remaining part of the theatre ever since.
We hope we can raise enough funds this year to allow our work to continue. With this campaign, we’re looking to raise a total of £5000. In order to access the £2500 we have in the matching pot, we need to raise £2500 in online donations. We’d be very grateful for any support.”
The Big Give’s Arts for Impact Campaign will be live from 12 noon on Tuesday 19th March to 12 noon on Tuesday 26th March. Blue Elephant Theatre’s campaign page is here: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002SEVHwAAP
Founded in 1999, Blue Elephant Theatre (BET) aims “To think big for a little venue”. A 50-seat fringe theatre located on a council estate in Southwark, the Blue Elephant is proud to engage people in the arts in an area of socio-economic deprivation and diversity and to encourage visitors to the area to see it in a more positive light than they may otherwise. A registered charity, BET specifically aims to offer creative opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able to access them. Blue Elephant Theatre’s Participation Department normally reaches hundreds of young people each year, working closely with local schools
and organisations and running youth theatres.
59a Bethwin Road, SE5 0XT
Phone: 02077010100
Website: www.blueelephanttheatre.co.uk
